The Republic of Ireland in action against Andorra on Tuesday night
The Football Association of Ireland has denied reports that it is in financial crisis because of poor sales of 10-year tickets for the new Aviva Stadium.
The Irish Independent reported that only 4,077 of the 10-year Vantage seats have been sold for the venue.
However in response, the FAI reiterated their recent comment that over 6,300 of the 10-year seats have been snapped up.
The FAI statement said that the newspaper's claims in relation to a "ticket fiasco are unfounded".
"At the recent match against Andorra the number of Vantage seats occupied on premium level was 6,900," continued the FAI statement.
"The overall attendance at the match against Andorra, the bottom seeds in the group, was third highest at all Uefa qualification matches taking place that day in Europe.
"The Irish Independent (also) reported that Mr David Blood, had stated that an offer was made by a third party to the FAI of €75m to bear all risk from the Vantage Sales Process.
"The Board of Management of the FAI this morning confirms categorically that the Board never rejected any such offer and David Blood acknowledged this to be the case."
The Republic of Ireland football governing body also said that it was "incorrect" to claim that existing 10-year ticket holders who purchased in 2004 and 2006 had not paid for their tickets in full.
"The FAI has met all of its contributions to the €411m Aviva stadium which it jointly owns with the IRFU," added the FAI.
"In close consultation with its banking partners, the FAI has put in place detailed business plans that will see it debt free by 2020, while continuing to fund the development and growth of the sport at grassroots.
"The Association's business plans, backed by record levels of turnover and a commercial portfolio which as trebled in the past five years will give the FAI a debt free status from 2020.
"These business plans have been agreed in close consultation with our banking partners who are comfortable with our seat sales and revenues."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?